Volunteer

The Fit Expert

The Volunteers are super fun, comfortable for all day wear and very well balanced. May need to step up a half a size to accommodate toe length and narrow calf.

Description

Drawing on invaluable lessons he learned from his woodsman scouting experience, John sketched up a slouchy, slip-on lady boot that featured thick, soft leathers or wool felt*, a 3.5" curved heel, and a 1.5" hidden platform of recycled cork, all on a tunite sole with rubber grips. The uber-modern Volunteer provides you with a firm foundation for helping others, participating in community service, and being a well-rounded citizen of the World. Prepare for the Future, choose well today.

REVIEWS (45)

Glad I didn't go 1/2 size up!

Rebecca - Dartmouth

I ordered these babies for my birthday present to me on a Saturday and I had them delivered to my house on Tues.! I carefully read all the comments and because of all your input decided to stick with my normal size 8.5, my calf is 15" around and the boot fits perfect! They are a little difficult to get on but it's getting easier! I wore them today and compliments were consistent! The red is bright and the boot shape sexy... not to mention very complimentary to my legs! (and legs are NOT my strong feature!) I love these boots, today was my first day wearing them out and I opted for skinny jeans with them, now we just need the weather for dresses..... and I need to update my wardrobe! Another great selection from my favorite shoe/boot company. Peace to all!

Fluevog Red Volunteer Boots (HEAVENLY)!!

Lori Grierson - Michigan

These are KILLER KICKS!! The red is just beautiful. Just like a true red lipstick (think OPI red). These are uber comfortable also. I haven't worn heels in years, but these are a cakewalk. (In fact, that would have been a great name for them!)
The day that I received them, I got online and ordered the only remaining pair in my size.
Unfortunately, I have a rooster that lives in the house with me, and they go CERRRAZZYY over the color red. So, when I want to wear them around the house, I have to lock him inside of my bedroom for a nap

So glad I found these!

Kelly G - Seattle, WA

Based on the reviews and the advice from a lovely sales associate in San Francisco, I initially bought these a 1/2 size larger than my usual size,which were available in black. While they were beautiful, I was really keen on the red--it's a gorgeous, muted cherry red, and perfect given the style. Lucky for me, the 1/2 size wasn't large enough, and the next size up was available in red! I'm generally a size 9M, no special issues. I do have longer toes, and these boots have a narrow toe box so maybe that's why I needed to go up to a 10(?) In any case, they fit like a glove. Tough to get on at first, but that will quickly change once the boots form to your feet/legs. I can't wait to waterproof and wear these babies! Thank you to the staff in Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. You guys rock; I couldn't be more pleased with the product and the service!

Gorgeous and oh, so comfortable

Andrea Clinton - Saskatoon, SK

I ordered these in a size 9, which is what I usually take for Fluevog boots and they fit perfectly. My calves measure 15" and they fit with no problem (not enough room to tuck in pants, but that is fine with me) So comfortable and so beautiful. I'm sure I can wear these all day right out of the box. Another favorite in my closet!

Prepare Volunteers

Michele - NYC-Soho

I own a pair of Prepare Leaders & Prepare Guides--both of which I love, love, love! When I saw the Prepare Volunteers I really wanted them but I was hesitant since I could not try them on in person. I read all the reviews and called the Soho store to ask some questions regarding fit, etc. I am normally a size 7 but had read many people were going up 1/2 size. After talking to someone at the store in NYC (very helpful sales staff) they also recommended a 7.5 so I went for it and actually bought the boots on sale. Once again I am SO pleased!! The boots fit wonderfully, are super comfortable while being stylish!! Everytime I wear my Fluevogs I get tons of compliments. Could not be happier with all 3 of my purchases!! Thank you

my go-to boots

Melanie

I got these in the wool and they are my go-to boots. They feel like flats! They go with everything and are SO funky. Love the Prepare line - I have 3 pairs! <3

Love love love

Amber

I was hesitant about the red but excited by the sale price. I have the guides in dark blue and aqua and love the shape / fit. I ordered the black boot from amazon (speedy shipping, nasty price but free returns) to try them out and was a little uncertain - I have skinny legs and although the shaft was a good fit I wasn't sure about the straight cut through the ankle - I usually get lace up or zippered boots. Anyhow, I decided I was will ing to try the reds and ordered. My uncertainty (beyond the straight ankle) was that although aqua is my favorite color, I find myself wearing the navy guides more, perhaps I'd feel the same about the red boots? Arrived today and I LOVE them. So fun, so bright (though a hint to orange from lipstick red) and so funky that I don't care about the ankle thing. Makes me want to click my heels like dorothy and head to the woods like little red riding hood. I feel like a kid, it's great :).

The coolest!

Christine - Toledo, OH

I've had these boots for almost a year now. They are so comfortable I can literally run when I'm wearing them. Fantastic for touring and long days of city walking and late night dancing. Plus, they are quite the conversation piece - unique and hip.

red volunteers

shannan - lethbridge

I just got these. Purchased online. They seen pretty comfortable... Will have to take them for a test walk. They address higher than expected.

I took the advice online and ordered a bigger size. I'm normally a 6 or 6.5 so I ordered a 7....I wish I had ordered a 6.5....

yum

beryl brown - toronto

wow..how can anything compare with these!!! Lovely lovey lovely....2nd pair of Vogs this week..think im goin to be an addict..well way better than smoking crack!!! ,-> :-{

1st and the last Red Boots!

Nono - Kelowna

I bought this boots in Red. I was looking for a red boots for the longest time. I must say, I wanted to get a sexy look one. This is more like a funky one. I went down to Seattle and walked around for HOURS. This boots were amazing! No pain at all!

I find Fluevog have narrow calves so it looked really full on my legs which I don't really like.
Colour is true to the website photo. Size fits smaller

When I bought this, shoes was coming from Gas town location. They e-mailed me and asked me what size my shoe size is. And they suggested to get 1/2 size larger. If I didn't get size 8, I wouldn't have be able to fit! Amazing customer service!!

WOW

Catherine - Vancouver, BC

these boots were a bit snug to get on, but are amazingly comfortable! At 5'10 I love heels, and height, but have a hard time finding comfortable heels that I can walk in without toppling over. These boots solve this problem nicely AND they work perfectly with my skinny jeans, while the height of the slouch boot means I can still wear 'em with a fancy knee-length skirt.
oooh I'm so excited!! :-B

Mistress America boots

Indy peony - Seattle

I've been looking for perfect red boots for 3 years. I saw these on the site and having had some great fluevogs in the past I thought- why not. They were groovy looking and the only kind of heel I can wear now is a platform. Well they are great. I wore them to school (I work in a high school) and my feet were fine after a long day of teaching. They do run narrow in the toe box but my feet are narrow. They are light for being platforms and they are a great tomato red. They could be dressy or casual depending on the outfit. They definitely make a statement.

watch out.. here I come

shelley K - langley bc

purchased these boots in RED, wow.. and wearing these boots actually motivated me to get out of bed in the morning!!!they fit fabulous, easy to slide on and off and hit perfectly on my calf- I am 5'2 tall. It feels good to walk in style and separates those of us who have and those who wish they had!
spanks John!

I should add...

Shannon B - Vancouver Island

...the staff at the Granville location were so nice. Because of them, the whole vibe of the store was very relaxed and accessible. I wondered whether Fluevog's brand-consciousness would be reflected in the attitude of the staff, but they seemed totally unconcerned with my laid-back islander [un]style and my well-worn, abused and none-too-clean Doc Martens. Thanks especially to Victor, who was very funny, got into an interesting chat with me about English synonyms, and gave me excellent advice about shoe cream. Pleasure doing business with you!

Boots that Heal

Shannon B - Vancouver Island

I walked into Granville Fluevog this past weekend, and the red Volunteers ambushed me with devastating style. I hadn't been drawn to them online, but in person? they were smokin'. I tried the Guides on first, and the 9.5 fit like a glove. No 9.5 in the Volunteer so I had to go up to a 10, and that worked since the ankle was still tight to pull on over my high arch. Lots of room in the footbed...will likely add a small insole if they stretch a bit. Shoe-creamed and then treated with beeswax and a warm blow-dryer, these are beautifully soft and, now, waterproof. AND, they have mystical healing powers: I had spent all Friday walking around downtown Vancouver in my usual shoes, and developed two blisters. That night, I couldn't bear to put them back on, and was forced to wear my new, unbroken-in Volunteers. I was worried they'd make bad worse...BUT!! they fixed me. Fixed me! No rubbing on the blisters, no pinching, no badness whatsoever. They were a blessing on my feet, and I wore them all evening, all the next day, and was sorry to take them off. I'm home now, I've worn them out and about in my small, fashion-backwards island town, and the ultimate compliment has been paid to my Fluevogs - FOUR people downtown stared disapprovingly at my feet. One person even made a derisive face! WIN!! Thanks for helping me NOT sink into the morass of conformity. ,->

Red Rapture

Jezebelle - Los Angeles

I just trotted into my Melrose Fluevog store today and acquired these comfortable boots. I agree with other posters, to go up a half a size, as I wear a 10 1/2 in these. I have to commend my store as usual for their lovely service!

perfectly perfect

Joanna - Vancouver, BC

Love, love, love these boots. My wonderful husband surprised me with the black volunteers as an early birthday present! For me, they are true to size. Size 7 fits perfect with thin dress socks, I wear a 6.5 in Attention Jolies with nylons and size 5 (unisex) in derby swirls with thick socks, just for frame of reference. They just slipped right on, no wiggling technique needed. Also the leg opening of the boots fit over my skinny jeans with room for both thumbs to pull the boots on. They are perfectly perfect.

Welcome to the family...

Yvonne - Rochester NY

I've had my eye on these all winter-actually longer than that- more like since my pilgrimage to NYC Fluevog this spring where I saw a woman try them on-and come back a half hour later to try them on again. I thought they were awesome looking on her-and told her so :-) Fast forward to the eternal quest for "the boot"-well I have found it and the Black Volunteer is IT!! How could I have even entertained inviting the other "F" brand into my home-so glad I did not commit and sent them packing! Followed the advice of a knowledgeable Fluevog employee who advised me to try the 9 1/2 (I am typically a 9 in the majority of my Vogs)-absolute PERFECTION!! Yes they can be a little tough to get on but once I found my groove my foot slid in like a glove. Sooo comfortable and oh so true what everyone says about not even feeling like you are wearing heels. So glad to have discovered the amazing comfort and one of a kind looks of this family. Only "bad" thing is now I'll want to "adopt" more!!!!

Love at first step

Meow - Sacramento, CA

I just received these in the mail today. I'd been eying them for many months but couldn't quite decide. When they went on sale and were further reduced how could I say no? Well, I'm so happy they're here! I got the black leather, how can you go wrong? They're beautiful and soooo comfortable! But, of course they would be... They're Fluevogs!!! I got these and the Arc Rainbows in black, love both and both on sale! It led me to decide that I'm now going to sell or give away all of my other heels and shoes that aren't Fluevogs. I don't know what's wrong withnother shoe companies but they just don't know how to make great looking AND comfortable shoes. Hell, I've even tried to find just the comfortable part...to no avail (many years ago and in my distant past before Fluevog of course). I've had a back problem for a number of years and have to wear Fluevogs to work, I also work on my feet.
Back to my review. I wear 7, got 7.5. These fit great. The calves are a little wider than I expected, not huge or anything. I can wear over jeans or pants. There's a little gap if I wear bare legged. I haven't worn out yet but I have the Prepares Tailor which are an ankle boot. I can wear those for many hours without them hurting my feet or my back. I'm sure these will be the same since the shoe is the same. They're my new basic black boot. Oh, the leather is beautiful!

Love the tweed

kthanos - Portland

When these boots were on sale only the tweed were left in my size. I waffled. Would the tweed turn to mush in the puddles of the Pacific NW? Fortunately, poor self control prevailed and I bought them. They wear beautifully in rain and sleet and keep my feet dry with the nice, thick platform. Love the tweed!

love

S - NL

These boots are absolutely gorgeous. Soft, comfortable, fit like a dream....
my only complaint is that the glue on the heels didn't work: the first time I wore them (indoors only, of course) the rubber heel tips came off both boots. Otherwise, they're the bees knees! Order 1/2 size longer than your usual size. Beware: if you have a very high instep these may not be for you - they're quite snug to get on.

Just as I had hoped

Carla - Mission Viejo, CA

I've been eyeing Fluevogs for years and finally just gave in. I received my first pair of Vogs today. Well two actually. The Prepare Volunteer in Burnt Orange for this review. I had my eye on the Grey Felt, but also liked the Burnt Orange so when they went on sale I couldn't deny my urge. I was concerned with sizing after reading all the reviews, but after receiving an unsolicited email from Denny in San Fran, he made his suggestions based on my various fits in shoes. He was right on with both pairs! Thanks Denny! He also sent along a personal note congratulating me on my first pair which to me was a big deal since I've been a follower for so long. I also found a badge in the boot that says "No, You're Weird" stressing the word "You're". Pretty fitting for me. I embrace my weirdness. Anyway, I vary between size 7 and 8 in a boot, but I got these in a 7 1/2 and they fit great. I was concerned at first with my heel not feeling seated in the shoe, but once I tugged up on the shaft, my foot slipped right down. They look high, but they don't feel like it when walking. I don't wear heels so I'm a teeny tiny bit wobbly, but that's just because it's a bit different from what I'm used to. Now I just need to spice up my wardrobe so I can show off these babies.

p.s.

Beth - New England

Follow up-
I have arthritic knees and am so happy to have discovered the Prepare family because you get height without the strain that often comes with wearing heels.
Sizing: In conventional shoes I wear 9 1/2 to 10. In Voggie Styles I wear 10 in Attention Paris, 10 1/2 in Operetta Guilia. In Prepares I wear a 10. I do have skinny calves and the boot sheath fits great.

Sign me up!

Beth - New England

I volunteer to wear these boots for the rest of my days. The leather is soft, the sillouette is sexy and funky, and they make me oh-so-tall. I've worn them several 12-hour days right out of the box and my feet and knees are happy.

The "burnt orange" is really a warm tan. Looks great with skinny jeans and a tunic or tights and a skirt/dress.

Upon reading that some of you have struggled to put them on, I am compelled to come to the rescue with a tip: wear tights or thin socks, and just pull on the boot almost like you're pulling on a wooly sock (grab the leather low around the ankles, holding the inner boot lining and pull up). It's easiest for me to do while standing and wiggling my ankle (and this action doubles as a bonus pilates-type move). Seriously, once you get it it's easy and takes seconds. DO NOT BE DETERRED! These boots are simply amazing -- the one thing you grab before evacuating a burning building.

Senior approved

Rachelle - Sherwood Park

Hello Voggers, these are awesome boots dont think just purchase...
Leather inside and out. Only feels like your walking on a 1 and a half inch heel due to the fab platform!
I work in a salon and on fridays we have are weekly senior ladies for their curly hair sets. All friday i got complients. Delightful. They had never seen such a shoe. Oh, and they make your feet look tiny.
I normally wear a size 8 but i got the 7 and a half. I can wear nylons only with them with an 8 i could probly wear dress socks. When you first buy them the rock back and forth easy like a hockey skate not hard to get used to.
P.S fluevog you should have a site with just your stand the test of style shoes. Some of your fad shoes are too much for a fad. but some of my older most loved stylest are wearing out `:O
and i NEED them to LIVE. or i wont be as fab as i once was.. re issue the AWESOME.

So beautiful! So comfortable!

Heather - Halifax

Oh, how I love the Guides! These fit true to size, I can even wear a winter sock comfortably at my "usual" size. Because of the front platform, your feet are almost flat, it doesn't feel like a heel in the least. The leather is soft and thick, the shape is striking, and they're totally comfortable, even for a long day on your feet--swoon!

Erin - South Carolina

I had bought the Guides in brown and love them, so when I decided to finally replace my very old black boots, I knew that I would go for these. They ROCK. I wear an 8 in regular shoes, but I wear an 8.5 in the Prepare line. They give me height; they are stable; I trust the rubber soles to not let me fly off my feet (as I am wont to do sometimes in lesser shoes). I have several other pairs of 'Vogs, but I recently injured my knee, so regular heels have been off-limits. Not my Volunteers, thankfully! @>-

AWESOME!

Kim Del Rio - Milwaukee

Tried them on at the New York store in Sept, that pair fit weird so I didnt get them, I was sooo disappointed! Tried them on again at the Chicago store and they fit awesome! Ive worn them nearly every day! People have literally yelled "Awesome boots" at me as I walked down the street! Worth every penny! Super comfy! They are my 30th pair of Fluevogs!!

bagofrats - Eugene: Den of Anarchy

I love these beauties, and they're not even my normal style. Finding tall boots that fit and stay up is a challenge with my scrawny sub-12" calves, so when people complain about the calf being too tight on a boot then I'm paying attention. So yeah, they're still a bit big on me, but they don't look awkward which is awesome. I'm a size 7, and a 7 in these fit perfectly (I don't know if I would wish to wear thick boot socks with them, but that's not really their purpose anyhow). I have them in the burnt orange (endless was out of my size in the black) and they look fantastic with short plaid skirts.

gorgeous, but wobbly-ankled folks beware

Hanana San - Vancouver

these boots are absolutely beautiful, eye-catching, comfortable. i ended up going with a different style, however, because of one detail: the ribbed rubber sole does not extend all the way to the edge of the shoe, and this causes my horrible weak ankles to snap sideways at the slightest tilt. loved the boots but was worried about sprains. who knows, though--maybe a full-width topy would fix this problem...

Cute but not for me...

Sarah-Joy - Victoria,bc

I ordered these off endless at 30% off. I got them a half size bigger for socks but I don't think I would recommend that. I have the guides in a 9 and they fit like a dream but these kept sliding in the ankle (both the 9 and the 9 1/2 did this actually). They were a little tight on the calf but I'm sure they would have stretched out fine(and I'm an average calf). Getting them past the heel was a bit of a problem which is weird since this us where they were loose once I got them on! All in all, they were cute but I don't think I was a huge fan of the look. Should have gone for the merits (or the velasquez, drool).

get seen!!

cortney - vermont

i see everyone says they love these, and i am no exception. they are so comfortable, and they already have a rubber sole (it is needed in vermont). the grey felt is so nice. it is completely different from any boot i own. it looks so nice on. don't wear these if you don't want to be noticed.

Love these boots in grey felt. Bought em in Toronto, wearing em around New York today and wear em all over Los Angeles.

Comfortable enough to wear all day and walk plenty in. I do wear them tucked into my jeans and I am not a skinny girl.

Bought the 8 1/2, my usual size. However before I bought em, I had to try on a bunch of pairs because there was a strange gap (on the inside of the shoe) between the edge of the shoe and the interior shoebed. Make sure there isn't a gap there.

LOVE!!!

Kim - Ottawa

I adore these boots. I had a local store order them in for me (they carry select Fluevog's but not this style) and the FIVE WEEK wait was worth it (although this store is no longer taking orders because the wait is so ridiculous). I had tried on the shoe version and realized that I should stick to my shoe size of 8.5 instead of 9 like I usually do with boots (to fit thick socks in winter). The 8.5 fit perfectly. Thankfully I have fairly scrawny legs because I don't see how anyone with slightly thick calves can wear these. They are super comfy and worth every penny.

Beautiful, Comfortable, Already broke

Samantha

I love these boots so much, they're cute, they're comfortable, they give me height but they're more comfortable than some flats, but they literally fell apart almost immediately.

I definately have not worn these more than 6 times, and i haven't walk around in them a lot. However, yesterday when I was walking home in them I started feeling very off balance when I realized the sole had comletely fallen off one of the heals. Hardly worn, $400 boots, already broken. Maybe its a defect and they will fix them for free but I am not happy.

Greg

Hi Samantha, contact the store that sent them to you, and they can help you out. It should be an easy fix. :)

Such a DISSAPOINTMENT

Anna Jonassen - annagene12@yahoo.com

(:-&
These boots are stunning. I fantasized about ordering them for weeks and saved up money for them. I was thrilled that they actually came in a size 12. When they finally came, they were beautiful, until I tried them on.
They were SO, SO small. It wasn't just the tight calf and heel (similar to other complaints). My toes were jammed into the toe box, they were excruciatingly painful to wear.
I went to a Fluevog store out of curiosity to see if it was just this style, but it wasn't. Every single pair of size 12's was exceptionally small. It was humiliating.
As a genuine size 12 it so endlessly frustrating when companies offer shoes in my size that simply are not sized correctly. Frankly, I'd rather not get my hopes up.

I love these boots!

Missy - Bay Area

I broke down and had to get these, I started with the Leaders and loved the family so much...I had to get the boots. They are super comfortable and super unique in grey felt. They do fit 1/2 size small because of a short toe box, but I had no issues with the calf circumference and I have muscular calves.

perfect.

Kendra K - United States

I must admit that when I first tried to put these boots on I thought I'd have to send them back. Getting my foot past the ankle/heel area of the boot was challenging (as other reviews have stated...) However, with each consecutive try it did get a bit easier. For gals with slimmer calves, this is the perfect boot!!!! I am 5'7", 130 lbs, with average sized calves and this boot does not give any excess space. I can tuck in skinny jeans, but that's about it. lovely!!! Also, the cork platform in incredibly comfortable. AND I received compliments from strangers within 1 hour of wear. This is my 8th or so pair of Fluevogs, and I've never been happier!

These boots rock!!

Sara - Alaska

These boots fit just like the sandals- comfortable out of the box. The shaft does not seem all that narrow- and I do NOT have scrawny calves. I just saw the gray felt- might have to buy another pair.

Very comfy, quirky

Fat Maggot - California

I own two pairs of Prepare Guides -- brown and blue, size 8 (which is my true size). They were comfy right out of the box and I NEVER wear heels. This is why I own multiple pairs of these -- the platform makes it super friendly, even towards problem feet. So when I saw the boot P-) I had to give it a try. Super fun and super comfortable. I ordered them half a size larger to allow me to wear socks in colder weather (or when I feel like wearing socks). I disagree with the previous reviews that claim a narrow shaft. I am 5'5" and 140# athletic build (spinning, running, cross-training) so I have muscular calves. My calves are 14" around the widest part and I had no problem pulling the shaft over my entire calf as a knee high boot. I think where people might run into problems is at the ankle area. My ankles are small (8" around) so it was very easy to slip my foot into the boot without having to do some bizarre ballet move. In fact, I have a bit of room around the ankle and am even considering taking these babies to the cobbler to get them taken in a little bit at the ankle. I love that the slouchy effect is sewn into the boot -- the outer layer of leather is baggier than the inner lining so it is permanently slouched perfectly. You can certainly scrunch the shaft up and down to your liking. Very fun, sexy, and most importantly, comfortable :-D .

These Boots are Head Turners

ellen - Seattle

A very comfortable boot, but OH the narrow shaft. Thye fit perfectly on the foot and are so comfortable, but shaft just will NOT pull up my leg. Should I take them in for a 1/2 stretch or return them? Oh the agony! If you have narrow calves, these are the boots for you. Ladies with more of a muscular calf might start crying when they find out how narrow these boots are. I'm kind of crying right now...

Holy Frack!

melly - virginia

I adore my orange Guides, and asked John for boots in the Prepare family; but I was not "prepared" for the Volunteers! They are butter soft, glossy leather--comfortable, lightweight, and turn heads wherever I go. I agree with the reviews that say the shaft is narrow--I have to scrunch mine more, but since I like that look, all is well. Thank you, John, for hearing my prayer. Suede next time?

Karen Spreng

I tried these on in the Toronto store. They look awesome on and have that amazing platform. The boots seem to be for those with narrow calves. I typically never have an issue sliding into any Fluevog boot but despite by narrow calves and low arch, these were a bit difficult to get on. If your legs are more shapely - go for a different boot option.